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The Facts of Life: Important Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

Every year, millions of homeless pets are euthanized every year. Most pet owners know that spaying and neutering their dogs and cats is crucial to stopping the pet overpopulation that results in these sobering statistics. However, many pet owners don't take this step because they believe many of the erroneous myths surrounding these procedures, like it can alter the pet's personality.   The fact is that spaying and neutering your pet is not only vital to preventing litters of unwanted dogs and cats, but also helps keep them healthier and happier in the long run.

Unfortunate Reality

More than 4 million pets are euthanized in US animal shelters each year simply because they have no home.  Many are puppies and kittens less than 6 months old. The following chart shows the impact of leaving just two cats unaltered.

Help stop this needless loss of life. Spay and neuter your pet!

Neuter and Spay -- It's the Kindest Way

Of course, it is important to control the pet population. But did you know that spaying and neutering will directly benefit your pet's health and wellbeing? Here are some basics about these important procedures:

Spaying Your Female

Spaying the female, also called ovariohysterectomy, is the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Ideally, this procedure should be done before your pet is 6 months old, before they experience their first heat cycle. Heat cycles occur twice yearly in unspayed females and typically last three weeks.

The earlier you spay your pet, the greater health benefits they will receive. For example, when it comes to breast cancer:

• If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has less than a 1 percent chance of developing breast cancer in later years.

• If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8 percent chance of developing breast cancer in later years.

• If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk of breast cancer increases to 26 percent.

• After two years, no protective benefit exists.

There are many other health benefits from spaying your pet. Spaying:

• Prevents hormonal changes that may interfere with medication in pets with diabetes or epilepsy.

• Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.

• Eliminates the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.

Neutering Your Male

Neutering the male, also called castration, is the removal of the testicles and spermatic cord. Ideally, this procedure should be done when your pet is 5 of 6 months old.

Neutered males (and their owners!) receive many benefits from this procedure. Neutering:

• Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, which is the second most common tumor in male dogs.

• Greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer and prostatitis.

• Reduces the risks of perianal tumors.

• Reduces the urge to roam and fight with other males. Did you know that the number one reason dogs are hit by cars is due to the dog roaming to look for a girlfriend in heat?

• Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in male cats neutered before 6 months of age or before the onset of these behaviors.

• Eliminates the risk and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (and yes, they can get these, too!)

• Eliminates unwanted litters.

Common Myths:

Many owners don't get these important procedures because they erroneously believe some myths about spaying and neutering pets. Contrary to what you may have heard, spaying or neutering your pet DOES NOT:

• Cause laziness or hyperactivity.

• Reduce its instinct to protect your family or home.

• Cause immature behaviors.

• Postpone or delay normal behavioral maturity.

• Alter its personality in any manner.

If you have any questions about spaying and neutering your pets, please contact us. Our staff can answer your questions about spaying and neutering your pet or any other procedure your pet may undergo at our hospital.  Please don’t hesitate to ask!

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